This one is not only very important for the development of the relationship, but it is also super fun and inspiring! I think talking about dreams and goals is a really fun way to get to know the person you are either looking at getting into a relationship with or the person you are already in a relationship with. You can see what their interests look like and how big of a dreamer they are. 

This also gives you insight into how ambitious they are. Not to mention should you decide to pursue a marriage with them, you could become a very big factor in those dreams and goals. As well as if your dreams and goals don’t align, that may be something that will hinder a truly healthy and fulfilling relationship. If they have small goals this may alert you to a lack of ambition or a lack of self belief. This is something that can lead to a conversation to see if you can add belief to them. 

Ultimately if your dreams and goals don’t align, then that is a pretty serious matter to consider. You will have to talk over compromises that the both of you are willing to make in order to align your dreams and goals. But if they do align, then that is a rare treat to be considered when looking at the prospects of your relationship in the future. 

I encourage you to sit down with your significant other and talk about your dreams and goals. Have fun with it, make it a fun night scrolling Pinterest together or dreaming about your dream house. Be as specific as you can, right down to the aesthetic for your dream house and the make and model of your dream car, and how many kids you want. 

Please discuss your family planning intentions! That is always such a big issue with couples in today’s society. They get into a relationship and then years down the road they realize they never discussed the possibility of children, and they end up having differing opinions that lead to a split. It should be one of the first things you discuss within a relationship, it is not taboo and it does not mean you want to get married and have kids right now. It simply means you are exploring the potential future and making smart choices. What if you want kids right away and want four kids, but they want to wait a few years and only have two or none? That is a big difference and absolutely a marriage killer if not handled properly.

Tell each other your 3-5 year plan for your life, and your 10-15 year plan. Where do you want to live? What do you want your income to look like? What do you want your family to look like? The details are super important when it comes to sharing your dreams and goals. 

Remember also when you are making your goals, they must be SMART goals; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Don’t be wishy washy “I’d like to one day be able to…” rather it should be more like “in 15 years I expect to…” This can also help your significant other place themselves inside your dreams and goals if that is the direction your relationship is going. 

Above all, have fun with it, be creative, and don’t be afraid to share the bucket list of crazy things you want to accomplish. This can make for an extremely productive and enjoyable date. If you are in a serious relationship where marriage is definitely on the table, make a dream board together with your goals bullet pointed on the side. See how your goals can help you achieve your dreams. 

I encourage you to look at the five main walks of life when you are considering your dreams and goals. Those five walks of life are: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Social, and Financial. Make specific dreams and goals for each walk of life. Start small then work your way to big and out of the box. Don’t be afraid to dream big. The bigger the dream, the bigger the drive to get there.